Leaf-inspired microcontact printing vascular patterns

Biofabrication. 2017 Jun 1;9(2):021001. doi: 10.1088/1758-5090/aa721d.

Abstract

The vascularization of tissue grafts is critical for maintaining viability of the cells within a transplanted graft. A number of strategies are currently being investigated including very promising microfluidics systems. Here, we explored the potential for generating a vasculature-patterned endothelial cells that could be integrated into distinct layers between sheets of primary cells. Bioinspired from the leaf veins, we generated a reverse mold with a fractal vascular-branching pattern that models the unique spatial arrangement over multiple length scales that precisely mimic branching vasculature. By coating the reverse mold with 50 μg ml-1 of fibronectin and stamping enabled selective adhesion of the human umbilical vein endothelial cells (HUVECs) to the patterned adhesive matrix, we show that a vascular-branching pattern can be transferred by microcontact printing. Moreover, this pattern can be maintained and transferred to a 3D hydrogel matrix and remains stable for up to 4 d. After 4 d, HUVECs can be observed migrating and sprouting into Matrigel. These printed vascular branching patterns, especially after transfer to 3D hydrogels, provide a viable alternative strategy to the prevascularization of complex tissues.

MeSH terms

  • Alnus
  • Animals
  • Biomimetics / methods*
  • Collagen / pharmacology
  • Drug Combinations
  • Human Umbilical Vein Endothelial Cells / cytology*
  • Humans
  • Image Processing, Computer-Assisted
  • Laminin / pharmacology
  • Neovascularization, Physiologic* / drug effects
  • Plant Leaves / anatomy & histology*
  • Printing*
  • Proteoglycans / pharmacology
  • Rats

Substances

  • Drug Combinations
  • Laminin
  • Proteoglycans
  • matrigel
  • Collagen